Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School (GSL) in Memphis, recently announced the addition of a new grade level offering to its current preschool (two years old) to eighth grade model.
Located in the heart of Midtown, the school is now accepting applications for the Little Saints, an 18- to 23-month-old class, housed at the school’s historic Miss Lee’s Preschool campus, beginning in August 2024. The high and consistent demand for spaces at GSL’s preschool led to the decision to expand the school’s current grade level structure.
Our team has spent a great deal of time assessing the needs of our community and strategizing enhancements for our in-demand early childhood program,” says Dr. Andy Surber, head of school at Grace-St. Lukes Episcopal School. “We see this strategic move as critical to maximizing the Preschool’s potential, and it gives us the opportunity to serve more families of young children throughout the Memphis area.”
According to GSL's administration, this new addition will give families an earlier entry point to the GSL experience, and provide a younger age group with a nurturing, safe, and loving environment designed to ignite curiosity and develop foundational skills. The class size will be set at a maximum of 12 students with two teachers. The Little Saints teaching team will guide and engage children through activities that stimulate social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
“The educational experience that GSL provides students is transformational,” says Surber. “We have the good fortune to work together as a faculty and staff to offer a program that is connected from age 2 (soon to be 18 months!) to grade 8, with so many opportunities for partnership between our younger grade levels and their older peers. My passion and excitement come from watching these children grow into bright, curious, openhearted students of good character. The opportunity to begin that process at an earlier age allows us to build foundations in all areas, including those that are academic as well as character-building.”
Founded in 1947, GSL is a coed independent school with a mission to prepare boys and girls to become creative problem solvers, confident lifelong learners, and responsible citizens in their communities and the world. The historic Miss Lee’s Preschool campus was originally founded in 1924, and became part of GSL in 1986. Nearing the preschool’s 100th anniversary in 2024, and strong enrollment demand, the time was right to consider adding a younger classroom, according to Dr. Surber.
Can you believe we are celebrating a centennial anniversary this year?,” Surber added. “The program at Miss Lee’s Preschool will be 100 years old in the coming academic year, and we fulfill that legacy by drawing off of both traditional and current pedagogy to ensure students develop a lifelong love of learning. Our passionate, knowledgeable teachers are at the heart of the experience for students, and this has been the case for a century of learners! The opportunity for GSL to have an earlier impact on families and see the educational journey through from 18 months to 8th grade is very exciting for us.”
Cynthia Hill, GSL’s head of preschool, is equally excited about the expansion of the preschool program. “Our Preschool has long been noted for the loving and inclusive coed atmosphere, and also for our philosophy of play with a purpose,” says Hill. “Our approach emphasizes the importance of student-centered learning, exploration, and discovery.”
GSL looks forward to welcoming the inaugural class of Little Saints in August 2024, and embracing all they will add to the GSL community.
To learn more about Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School, enrollment information, or to schedule a tour, visit gslschool.org.